The What’s In IT for Me Question?

What's in it for me?

Sometimes we are tapped to take up an assignments that is a stretch or outside of our comfort zone. In these situations we have 3 options
A. Say No
B. Say Yes, and Trust the System
C. Say Yes, But Ask What's in it for me

Option A means I am in my comfort zone, and at this point of time I want to stay there for life stage or professional reasons. Staying in the comfort zone may mean slower growth.

Option B means I am willing to step out of my comfort zone & take up the new challenge or a role that the org. wants. I trust that if I do well, the system will recognise my contributions, & reward me for it. It requires a leap of faith, but the pay-offs are usually high as leaders are vested in your success.

Option C may seem the best of both worlds, but often is least effective. The act of negotiating something for stepping up to a new challenge leaves a bad taste with the leaders (who may have tapped you). Equally, if and when, the leaders negotiate back in turn, it leaves the candidate feeling short changed. It's a short term gain for a long term loss.

My learning over the years has been that it's better to go with option A or B, based on your life stage & appetite for risk/ change. Option C is stable only on paper.